Changes in Coyote Movements Due to Military Activity

Abstract

We investigated the response of coyotes (Canis latrans) to military activity on the Pifion Canyon Maneuver Site (PCMS), Colorado, during 1984-86. Sixteen coyotes responded to military activity by expanding, contracting, abandoning, or not changing their home range during military maneuvers compared to before and after maneuvers. Three coyotes abandoned their home ranges, with 1 animal returning to its original (i.e., pre-military activity) home range 1 week after maneuvers. Most coyotes that expanded or contracted their home range during military maneuvers resumed their original home range after military maneuvers ceased. Responses appeared to be related to the amount of available cover, topography, and intensity of military activity in a coyote's home range. Coyote activity patterns during the day increased, while activity at sunrise, sunset, and night remained the same during military activity. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 53(2):334-339 The response of wildlife populations to human disturbances is of concern to wildlife professionals and the public. Most research has concentrated on the response of big game species to logging (Peek and Hieb 1976, Van Dyke et al. 1986), mining (Amstrup 1978, Helms 1978, Kuck et al. 1985), recreation (Dorrance et al. 1975, Richens and Lavigne 1978, Ferguson and Keith 1982), and development (Van Dyke et al. 1986, Knight et al. 1988). The response of protected species (e.g., raptors) to recreation and human activity has also been documented (Stalmaster and Newman 1978, Knight and Knight 1984, Andersen et al. 1986). The response of coyotes to increased human activity is unknown. We documented the effect of military activity on coyote home-range size, geometric centers of activity, and activity patterns. We thank P. A. Terletzky, G. B. Perlmutter, B. A. Abel, F. M. Lentsch, and J. L. Williamson for field assistance; the Western Energy and Land Use Team and K. M. Firchow for habitat mapping; J. R. Cary for computer and statistical assistance; and N. S. Smith, D. E. Andersen, T. L. Warren, A. P. Pfister, and S. R. Emmons for review of the manuscript. This study was funded by the Environmental, Energy, and Natural Resources Division, U.S. Army, Fort Carson, Colorado, through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Colorado Fish and Wildlife Assistance Office, Golden, Colorado, and the USFWS Wisconsin Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, and the Graduate School, University of Wisconsin, Madison.